Classes & Enrichment

For new parents in Chicago, getting out of the house with your little one is well worth packing a few snacks and wipes for. And when you're ready for an adventure beyond exploring a new playspace or hitting the local playground, there are dozens of baby and me classes you and your little one can try out together. Fortunately for toddlers and preschoolers (and their parents), there are plenty of parent-child classes for older kiddos too. Ready to explore yoga, nature, movement, dance, music, swimming, cooking—or even beatboxing? Read on for our list of fun "mom and me" classes to take with kids in Chicago.

Winter, spring, summer or fall, it’s always a good season to play! No matter what the weather looks like outdoors, indoor playspaces are perfect for keeping little ones entertained, and exercised. Here’s a list of great spots you can visit with your kiddos, even when the climate’s not working in your favor.

Presidents Week 2019 is approaching, leaving many parents wondering how to keep their kids occupied with school out. Chase away the winter blues and boredom cries with these classes, activities, and camps during the break.

From science experiments to jewelry making and sports skills, these Long Island camps have it all. Drop in for a day or the entire week.

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to homeschool your child? With its richness of museums, family programs, concerts, architecture, and parks and playgrounds, New York City might just be the best classroom in the world. But for many families, figuring out how to homeschool can be daunting. Here are a few resources to help you get started on your homeschooling journey.

If your kitchen can’t contain your budding Food Network star, there are plenty of stellar cooking classes throughout New York City for the littlest chefs, from toddlers to teens. We’ve rounded up the best food prep courses in the area. And who knows? Maybe you’ll get a delicious kid-made dinner out of the deal—or even expand a picky someone's palate!

DC families know just how precious the time is when their kids are still little, and they want to make the most of it. It can be fun, then, to find age- and lifestage-appropriate activities that moms, dads, and caregivers can do with their babies, toddlers, and preschoolers that make these short years even more memorable. A bonus: Many of these "mommy & me" class offerings do more for families than meet the eye - from getting postpartum moms feeling strong and fit again to getting a headstart on foreign language learning and motor skill development to finding friends who are in the thick of parenting right alongside you.

No matter which class sounds interesting to you, your little ones will be thrilled just to be with you. Enjoy this time together because as the saying goes: The days are long, but the years are short!

Check out our list of great Mommy & Me classes in the DC area that will create lasting memories for you and your kiddos during these formative years.

Looking for an indoor activity to keep your kids fit this winter? Head to the newest pools in town.

Not only is swimming a fun, year-round sport; it’s a life skill that can keep kids safe. So whether your child is an infant dipping his or her foot into the water for the first time or a high-schooler wanting to work on competitive strokes for swim team, these three new options in North Jersey are welcome additions. In may be cold outside, but inside these swim centers kids will no doubt feel the fun of summer.

Keeping kids educated and entertained can cost a pretty penny, so we like to help our readers find ways to keep expenses from getting out of hand. That’s why we keep our eyes peeled for FREE and low-cost classes and activities for kids of all ages.

Below we’ve rounded up classes offered by local stores, which include STEM programs, crafting, fitness, and more. We’re big fans of the $0 price tag, but we’ve also included a few that allow for one-time visits up to about $30. Many stores have various locations, so be sure to check with these to confirm local schedules, offerings, and rates.

Looking for more? We’ve previously rounded up 60 FREE Places to Play, which include stores, nature centers, play spaces, and other venues. Of course, libraries are also a great resource, and many offer one-time and recurring classes in coding, 3D printing, yoga, Zumba, cooking, and more. Most importantly, keep tabs on our Event Calendar, where we curate the best local events with a heavy emphasis on FREE and inexpensive.